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Inquiry publishes second report regarding UK’s COVID-19 ‘decision-making and political governance’

21 November 202512 views0

The publication of the UK Covid Inquiry’s second report has prompted widespread analysis across the British media, with outlets delivering starkly different interpretations of its central findings. The report, led by Inquiry Chair Baroness Heather Hallett, concludes that the response to the pandemic across the UK’s four governments was frequently “too little, too late” and that faster action could have prevented thousands of deaths.

The 650-page document – the outcome of nine weeks of hearings in London and additional sessions in Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Belfast – argues that lockdowns, while necessary and life-saving, became unavoidable due to early misjudgements, unclear planning, and a lack of urgency. Modelling included in the findings suggests around 23,000 deaths could have been prevented in England alone had restrictions begun one week earlier in March 2020.

What the report found

Key criticisms include:

A failure across the UK, Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish administrations to fully appreciate the scale of the crisis in early 2020.
Overreliance by devolved governments on Westminster for leadership.
Insufficient planning for economic, social, and health impacts of lockdowns, particularly on vulnerable groups and children.
A lack of clear exit strategies and contingency planning for subsequent waves.

Baroness Hallett has issued 19 recommendations covering emergency decision-making structures, parliamentary scrutiny, and improved communication with the public.

You can read the full report here.

Right-leaning titles framed the findings as criticism of the scientific advice and decision-making structures rather than any single leader. Left-leaning publications placed greater emphasis on delays from Boris Johnson’s government and internal dysfunction within Westminster.

Unless linked, headlines are front pages on 21/11/2025.